Southampton were one of the most active Premier League sides in this summer transfer window and made fourteen new signings for the first team. In the final week of the transfer window as well, the Saints completed the signings of Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale and West Ham forward Maxwel Cornet on a season long loan move. However, they were interested in signing another striker as well alongside new additions of Ben Brereton Diaz and Cameron Archer in the attack.
According to a recent report from trusted journalist Giannis Chorianopoulos, the Saints submitted their opening bid to sign Greece international Fotis Ioannidis from Panathianaikos.
Southampton submitted an offer to sign inform striker in this transfer window
“Before the end of the transfer market, Southampton made an offer to Panathinaikos for Fotis Ioannidis. Offer at €30 million (£25m) plus bonus. Offer has been rejected.”- Giannis Chorianopoulos
Ioannidis has been in fine form for Panathianaikos last season and scored 23 goals and provided nine assists as the club finished fourth in the Super League as well as the Championship round to qualify for the UEFA Europa League qualifiers. Ioannidis has replicated his brilliant form for the Greece national team as well and scored a goal in the recent 2-0 win over the Republic of Ireland in the UEFA Nations League. The 24-year-old is certainly a top striker but he isn’t a proven performer yet in the top five European leagues.
In January 2023, Southampton decided to sign Paul Onuachu for a transfer fee of £18 million after his brilliant goalscoring displays for Belgian side Genk. However, in fourteen Premier League appearances that season, Onuachu couldn’t find the back of the net for the Saints. Recently, Southampton have agreed a transfer fee of £7 million with Turkish side Trabzonspor to sell Onuachu in this transfer window.
Hence, Ioannidis could have taken time to adapt to the pace and physicality of the Premier League, and therefore, the Saints should try to sign him on a loan move in the next transfer window instead of a permanent transfer if he continues his prolific goalscoring form.
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